Relationship between acoustic parameters and body mass analysis in young males

Abstract

Purpose: To analyze the correlation between acoustic parameters and body height, weight, and mass composition in young males. Material: A total of 40 male subjects were included in this study. Each subject underwent acoustic analysis using the Kay Elemetric VISI Pitch (Model 3300, KayPentax, Lincoln Park, NJ) and complete body mass analysis. Pearson correlation was calculated to estimate the strength of the relationship between acoustic parameters and each of the weight analysis variables. Results: The mean age of the male subjects was 24 years with a range between 18 and 40 years. The average weight and height were almost 80 and 180 cm, with standard deviation (SD) of 7.42 and 10.46, respectively. The fat weight ranged between 3 and 25 kg, with the main concentration being in the extremities, 61.84% ± 17.4 and less concentrated in the trunk, 16.20% ± 7.6. The mean fundamental frequency was 120.13 Hz with an SD of 19.16 Hz. The mean Habitual Pitch was 114.16 Hz with an SD of 16.55 Hz. There was no significant correlation between the acoustic parameters and any of the body composition variables, in particular fat weight and distribution. There was a weak correlation between Shimmer, trunk fat (r value = 0.328, P = 0.039), and muscle mass (r value = 0.326, P = 0.038). Conclusion: The body mass composition and distribution do not correlate significantly with the fundamental frequency and the Habitual pitch. © 2012 The Voice Foundation.